WASHINGTON (CNN) - I am going to be hosting a Democratic presidential debate on Monday, January 21, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The CNN debate will be co-sponsored with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. Suzanne Malveaux and Joe Johns will be joining me in the questioning. All of us are really looking forward to this debate which coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States.

It comes just before the Democratic primary in South Carolina on Saturday, January 26. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all have respective strengths and weaknesses in that state. Hopefully, we will be able to learn more about these three candidates during that forum, which airs at 8 p.m. ET on CNN. The two earlier Democratic debates I moderated – in New Hampshire in early June and in Nevada in November – included a lot more candidates. Several of them, as you know, have dropped out. This one should be more manageable.

There are so many questions all of us have about the candidates. I have my ideas, and am excited, but l really want to hear from you - I would love your input. Let me know what you would ask these Democratic candidates if you had the chance. This race for the White House is at a pivotal point for the Democrats and the Republicans. And the stakes for the nation are very high. Thanks in advance.

soundoff(2,911 Responses)

Edward Campforts

Hillary Clinton says she has a strong foreign policy experience. Could you ask her to name some votes on foreign policy she is proud of? Are there any of these votes she can contrast with Obama's voting?

Thanks

January 11, 2008 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |

Frank, Homer, AK

For Hillary Clinton: You recently called Barack Obama a "part-time" state senator, because even though he worked more than 40 hours a week, and even though he refused to be paid by his law firm because he considered the senate a "full time job," the legislature is not always in session. If you don't consider that to be a full-time job, do you consider first lady to have been a full time job?

January 11, 2008 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |

Jessica Naomi

Please ask Senator Obama and Senator Edwards if they are running for president because they do not think a woman should be the President of the United States.

January 11, 2008 06:57 pm at 6:57 pm |

GG

President Bush has already cemented his legacy as "Worst President Ever."

Who do you think owns the title of “Best President Ever?” And what would the next President have to do be considered for that honor?

January 11, 2008 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |

Joe

I would like you to ask Obama why it is that he doesn't do many Q&A sessions? Why just speaches?

January 11, 2008 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |

Mike

I'd ask them how they plan to pay for things like doubling the wages, or their reform of Health care, etc. Not "we need to work with our allies, or we'll get money by going through some complicated process." No, I want to see the plan so I can consider it for myself. It's easy to say plans need to be made, I'd rather see a candidate with the plan already made and view the plan for myself.

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Neil Swartz

Borak says he will "change" the debate. Give us specifics. How will he "change" the debate on abortion? Will he change his position, or does he expect the Republicans to change their position?

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Steve

What do you think about the eventual nominee select the second place candidate as his/her running mate?

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Deb Kaufmann

2 things I'd like to know.

Can a tax cut be done for the 50+ age who don't have kids, and are single
get a tax break from paying school taxes?

Why don't those in Congress, Senate and House have to pay
into Social Security tax?

Thank you

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

David Angers

In an idealistic world, we would have classrooms with 20 students per teacher and the funds for new schools, school supplies and all extra-curricular activities for any individual that wants to participate. If education is held in such high regard in this country, what would the total cost be to achieve this objective? How could the federal tax rate be changed to achieve this objective? How many jobs would be created building the new schools and filling the teaching positions? What would the impact be on increased revenue from taxes(wages and consumer products) from these new jobs?

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Boz

Please ask Hillary if it is appropriate that her husband (and the quasi-leader of the Democratic party) is directly attacking Barack Obama on a regular basis. Shouldn't a former president take a step back (like George H. W. Bush), especially in an inter-party competition. Does he have no dignity?

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Colin Taylor

I just want to know where the Dem. candidates stand on the N. America union. I'm from Canada and think this topic is quite important.

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Alecia Flores

One of my concerns is the manner in which the current administration is and has been flouting our laws and our Constitution, so I have a two part question:

If evidence is found that the Bush administration willfully broke our nation's laws, would you insure that the potential crimes are investigated and the guilty parties held responsible; and what will you do to prevent a recurrence of such activities?

January 11, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

Dr. Robert Ardinger

The largest minority group over 57 million are largely ignored. Persons with disabilities issues (except for Edwards) are rarely discussed. This is primarily because liberals talk about keeping or increasing entitlements and conservatives argue for decreases. This is not the debate. It is economic opportunity and justice. The ADA is largely a failure. Why is it that nearly all government contracts go to companies not owned by persons with disabilities – even if the work has to do with a disability related issue such as architectural barriers.

The ADA was not just about getting an accessible unit; but about, getting the contract to build or manage housing.

Bob

January 11, 2008 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

tyler

Since Ewards is the only one i heard that will get rid of the Oil company tax cuts, ask him when he ends the tax cuts what will the money to go. To Education, to the poor and middle, or both and what impact would this have on the oil prices.

Ask Obama what is it he plans to do in America what plans have been layed out. WE WANT DETAILS LIKE EDWARDS HAS BEEN DOING FROM THE GET GO

ASK HILLARY WHERE DOES HE 36 YEARS OF EXPERINCE FROM AND WHY SHE DIDNT RUN FOR SENATOR IN HER HOME STATE AND BOUGHT A HOUSE THEY COULDNT AFFORD IN NEWYORK, AND WHY THEY USED THE TAX PAYERS MONEY TO BULID THE SECREATE SERVICES HOUSE

ASK EDWARDS WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT THE MEDIA CHOOSING NOT TO GET HIS MESSAGE OUT BECAUSE THEY WILL BE A LITTLE LESS RICH IF HES IN OFFICE, IT IS BECAUSE HE FOR THE PEOPLE AND NOT SELLING OUT TO BIG COMPANYS

January 11, 2008 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

Jerry

Hey Wolf,

Ain't you just loving this interactive programing ? It's about time ! The people need to be heard and that they shall !...
Bless all you CNN people !

January 11, 2008 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

Misty

Please ask all candidates if they will sign the Kyoto Treaty? And if not, why?

Thank you,
Misty Seattle Washington

January 11, 2008 07:01 pm at 7:01 pm |

Colleen Fish

I would like to ask Barak Obama why he refers to himself as a black man when he is half white? Is he ashamed to claim his whiteness? How does he expect white voters to support him when he advertises himself as a black man? How can his supporters pull the race card when he is as much a white man as a black man?

January 11, 2008 07:01 pm at 7:01 pm |

Eric

America does agree with the DEMS that we should get out of Iraq. . . but they are making the same mistake as President Bush if they don't tell us what is going to happen when we leave, We said before going into the war. . . "U break it u fix it." How do we insure we help all the brave Iraqies who helped us in this fight

January 11, 2008 07:01 pm at 7:01 pm |

GG

Without early identification and treatment, the consequences of mental illness individuals, their families and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, chronic homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives.

As President, what steps would you take to overhaul our grossly under-supported mental health care system so that 57 million Americans living with a serious mental illness can get treatment, get better and get their lives back.

January 11, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Jan

I'd like for all the candidates to answer the following question: "Who would be your dream-team for the major cabinet positions and advisors in your Presidential administration?" (VP, Dept of Defense, State Department, Attorney General, etc.)

I think their answers will give us all a lot to think about!

Since the candidates seem to be dodging specifics about their policies, perhaps they could shed some light on whose opinions/insight they respect. Afterall, the direction of this country will not only be directed by the President but by those with influence within the adminstration.

January 11, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Theresa

Please ask the candidates if they would continue to give money to the Saudi's when it is known that this money is used for weapons against Isreal. If they would continue, how could they justify their stance?

January 11, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Jennifer

I'd like to know if Hillary Clinton ( the other two also for that matter) believes in the theory that "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" and if so, how would she govern differently as a woman. I think there are differences and I would love to hear all of the candidates openly discuss those differences. Thanks!

January 11, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Graham F

Someone should ask them why they allow the military to continually play games with their own soldiers. My brother who is now in Afghanistan has had to pay for two seperate incidents out of his own money with the promise that he'd be paid bakc. After several months of arguing and filling out paperwork, his claims were denied.

One of these claims was them forcing him to drive to and pay for his stay in a different city for a leadership training program he HAD to attend. The Army paid for none of it.

The second item was his car being vandalized ON BASE in Kentucky. Apparently a "gang" in the city came on base looking for another Puerto Rican's car that was in the military. Unfortunately my borther drives the exact same car as this person and his car windows were shot out by this gang while he was at training in Texas. Upon his return, they promised to refund his deductible to him after his insurance covered the rest. The Army then took back their word and denied the claim stating they have no responsibility for the soldiers' belongings on base while theyre away.

Sickening and I'd like to know why he was treated as such by the military who then turns around and extends his tour to 15 months (his now second tour in the "war") but refuses to do something in return.

January 11, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Joseph

Why should Michigan voters vote for a democrat in the national election if their party is forsaking Michigan? Isn't this an automatic loss of the Reagan Democrats vote?